The Battle of the Bands: Simple Joys

Our battles take place twice a month: on the 1st and 15th. The results come six days later: on the 7th and 21st. That's when I return, total all of the votes, maybe even mine (if necessary), and announce the winner.

Hey, it's been a hard day's night and I've been working like a dog. Hmmm. That sounds so familiar. While I try to get this online TECHNICALLY on the first, however late in the day, I have a hankering to go Broadway with this battle. Whaddaya think o' that?

"Pippin" told the tale of the son of Charlemagne...well, not really very well, but it had Ben Vereen singing, Bob Fosse choreography, and spun off a hit for Michael Jackson with "Corner of the Sky." Not too shabby.

SIMPLE JOYS

by Stephen Schwartz

Well I'll sing you the story of a sorrowful lad

He had everything he wanted, didn't want what he had

He had wealth and pelf and fame and name and all of

That noise

But he didn't have none of those simple joys

His life seemed purposeless and flat

Aren't you glad you don't feel like that?

So he ran from all the deeds he'd done, he ran

Things he'd just begun

He ran from himself, now that's mighty far to run

Out into the country where he played as a boy

He knew he had to find him some simple joys

He wanted someplace warm and green

We all could use a change of scene

Sweet summer evenings, hot wine and bread

Sharing your supper, sharing your bed

Simple joys have a simple voice:

It says why not go ahead?

Wouldn't you rather be a left-handed flea

Or a crab on a slab at the bottom of the sea

Than a man who never learns how to be free

Not 'til he's old and dead

Wouldn't you rather be a left-handed flea

A crab on a slab at the bottom of the sea

A newt on the root of a banyan tree

Than a man who never learns how to be free

Not 'til the day he dies

Sweet summer evenings, sapphire skies

Feasting your belly

Feasting your eyes

Simple joys have a simple voice:

It says time's a living prize

And wouldn't you

Rather be a left-handed flea

A crab on a slab at the bottom of the sea

A newt on the root of a banyan tree

Or a fig on a twig in Galilee

Than a man who never learns how to be free

Not till the day

Not till the day

Not till the day

Not till the day dies!

Sing, it Ben, you're the first contender....

CONTENDER #1: BEN VEREEN, ORIGINAL CAST

Who's to say that spunky song can't be made better? Like all great Broadway tunes, somebody will decide to re-make it, re-package it, and re-invent it. Bingo...it happened to "Pippin" in 2013.

CONTENDER #2: PATINA MILLER

Vote in the comments - which cover do you prefer? Does Ben do it justice or was it time for a makeover? Don't hold back, peeps. I won't tell either one of them how you voted.

Then, it's on to the participants! See you back here on the 7tht for totals.

Pippin was a good musical in the modern tradition. I like this song and the choice is a tough one. Ben vereen is super good on his version. However I like the arrangement and the instruments better on the remake.

My vote goes to Patina Miller update, but only by the slimmest margin.

I never heard this song before but I liked it immediately. Upbeat and upbeat! And I could relate because I'm definitely a SIMPLE JOYS kind of guy. My needs are so few and I get by just fine with an old Cricket flip-phone and no big screen TV (or even any television service for that matter).

If I'm surrounded by books, music, and movies, I'm perfectly happy.

I liked both recordings but definitely liked the BEN VEREEN version better. I enjoyed that funky instrumental arrangement and liked what Ben did with his over-caffeinated (did I spell that right?) voice.

Holy Greatest American Hero! I had to go to YouTube to watch the first one and was shocked to see the blond guy whose name escapes me at this moment. The guy in the tighty whites...or off white was an eye opener but it is Fosse. Geez both are great but I have to give it to the gal, Patina Miller because her voice is so strong and yet in control. I do love Ben Vereen so this was a toughie. Hope you are doing well and hope your son is getting better every day.

Well, the first video (Ben Vereen) is not available, so I was unable to listen to it. :( O.K., so I went to YouTube and found it there...my vote goes to Ben Vereen in this battle, Cherdo. Hope you are doing well, my cherished friend. Much love to you. :)